first 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfərst How to pronounce first (audio)
Definition of firstnext
1
as in initial
coming before all others in time or order the much-studied first—and last—voyage of the Titanic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in main
coming before all others in importance there are a number of reasons we can't go, but the first is that we don't have the money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in foremost
highest in rank or authority auditioned and got first clarinet in the band

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

first

2 of 2

adverb

1
as in instead
as a substitute eat peas? I'd eat cockroaches first

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in rather
by choice or preference we will not give in, but will fight for our freedom first

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of first
Adjective
The team opted to sit first-round picks Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026 The run marked the end of Messi’s first stay as an international player in Kansas City. — Pj Green july 13, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Adverb
The Sox gave Burke a one-run cushion in the first inning when Vargas walked and then scored from first on a Montgomery double. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 McGregor and Holloway first met at 145 pounds in August 2013. — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for first
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first
  1. initial
  2. main
  3. foremost
  4. instead
  5. rather
  6. inaugural
  7. primary
  8. chief
Adjective
  • The initial proof of principle by the Normal team served as an inspiration for Whitelam, who recently reported a simulation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic computing circuit.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
  • The initial broadcast sparked protests and complaints from viewers, advertisers, and conservative activists, leading some CBS affiliates to exclude the episode from their lineup of reruns the following summer.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Of the 33 schools awarded grants, 19 schools opted for main entrance improvements while 14 chose to modernize their check-in and visitor badging systems.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • India’s main stock index last month outperformed other emerging markets by the most since November, and foreign outflows hit a four-month low.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • With Disney serving as popular culture’s foremost purveyor of such retreads, the formula for what makes a live-action remake hit or miss with audiences could hardly seem less formulaic.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Radu Magdin, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of foremost
Adverb
  • England were 1-0 up in Atlanta with just five minutes left before conceding two late goals which sent Argentina to Sunday’s World Cup final instead.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • So, his company has turned instead to an app, Zello, run by a private company, which notifies locals of Russian drones flying nearby.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • Evaluating how things went during an initial taste of action in the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, Hannes Steinbach was rather pleased.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • The only thing that felt rather bittersweet was that Sega’s people showed Virtua Fighter running on laptops at the end of the event, which, considering the company’s long and storied arcade history, was rather sad to see.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • For the Craft Roundtables’ inaugural year, IndieWire received nominations in the Outstanding Directing for a Daytime Studio Non-Fiction Series as well as the Outstanding Editing for a Daytime Studio Program.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
  • Launched at the inaugural Costa Rica Media Market last year in partnership with Grupo Morbido, the open call lured 55 projects from across the region.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 14 July 2026
Definition of inaugural
Adjective
  • Leaving spring training, one of the primary concerns for the Rangers was its bullpen, and halfway through the season this group ranks 10th in MLB.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
  • The district’s surveillance traps show numbers of Culex mosquitos — the primary vectors of West Nile virus — are at their highest.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • In January, Mykhailo Fedorov, who had recently been named Ukraine’s defense minister, outlined one of his chief strategic goals.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • The optimistic, neutral, and pessimistic cases A chief reason to put orbital data centers in space is the free, limitless power from the Sun.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of chief

Phrases Containing first

Browse Nearby Words

firm (up)
first
first base
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Cite this Entry

“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of first for Spanish Speakers

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